The auto industry regulators believe that technology can help prevent distracted driving and pedestrian fatalities. The new rules from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will require improved automatic braking systems on new cars sold in the US by September 2029. These regulations will necessitate the systems to automatically apply brakes and prevent crashes and pedestrian impacts at higher speeds than most current systems, and to work at night as well as during the day. Even though automatic emergency braking (AEB) is already common on new vehicles in the US, these new requirements are expected to save hundreds of lives per year, according to NHTSA officials.
Automatic emergency braking (AEB) is already standard on a large majority of new vehicles sold, thanks to a voluntary agreement most automakers signed in 2016. AEB is most commonly used to prevent rear-end collisions, a prevalent type of crash. Vehicles equipped with AEB use sensors such as radar, sonar, or cameras to detect when a vehicle ahead has slowed or stopped, or if there is an obstacle in the road. If the driver fails to respond in time or with enough braking force, AEB systems automatically apply the brakes. While AEB may not always prevent a crash, it can lessen the severity of the impact. Research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that current AEB systems have reduced rear-end collisions by about 50%.
Vehicles with pedestrian detection have additional sensors or cameras to recognize people walking in front of the car. The system will automatically stop the car if the driver fails to respond, reducing the severity of injuries to pedestrians. A recent study by the IIHS found that AEB with pedestrian detection reduced the risk of injury to pedestrians by about 30%. Pedestrian fatalities have increased by 83% since 2009, and bicyclist deaths from vehicle collisions have increased by 75% over the same period. The new NHTSA regulations will require AEB systems that can help prevent collisions with other cars at speeds up to 62 miles per hour and stop before hitting pedestrians from speeds as high as 45 miles per hour.
However, the study found that pedestrian detection systems in current vehicles are ineffective in low-light conditions, high speeds, or when the vehicle is turning. The NHTSA sees significant room for improvement in the technology. The new rules are estimated to prevent as many as 360 deaths annually and up to 24,000 injuries. NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman stated that most new vehicles already come with AEB, and many cars and light trucks are expected to meet the new standards ahead of the deadline, resulting in more lives saved thanks to this technology.
